Redblacks back on field to prepare for another climb up the CFL mountain

Seven starters, three backups and a couple of coaches are no longer with the Redblacks team that went to the Grey Cup game in 2015. It's time to begin building a "new" Redblacks squad, coach Rick Campbell says.

It’s not starting from scratch, but the Ottawa Redblacks aren’t just picking up from where they left off as they prepare for their third Canadian Football League season.

The transformation from a 2-16 expansion squad to the top of the East Division and a Grey Cup game appearance are … well … so last year.

The group that has gathered at TD Place stadium for a three-day mini-camp is without seven starters and three backups from the Grey Cup roster. They’re also without offensive co-ordinator Jason Maas and running backs coach Jordan Maksymic, who moved on to become head coach and quarterbacks coach of the Edmonton Eskimos.

“Regardless of what you did the previous season, whether you had a bad record or you won the Grey Cup, you literally have to reload and start new,” head coach Rick Campbell said between workouts on Sunday. “Every team is different even though there are several guys that are going to be the same. Every team kind of takes on its own personality. That’s starting in earnest (Sunday), building that new team chemistry.

“There are some teams that stay almost exactly the same, but I think now, with free agency and all the stuff the way it is, with players moving more in between teams that it used to be, there’s always going to be change.

“The good news is that a lot of the people that we lost were lost because they were good coaches and good players. That’s part of success. You have to make sure you can replace guys that you lose.”

Sunday also marked the first time veteran Redblacks had been on the artificial turf of their home stadium since defeating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 35-28 in the East final, with the margin of victory provided by that unforgettable 93-yard scoring play from quarterback Henry Burris to wide receiver Greg Ellingson.

Ottawa RedBlacks Head Coach Rick Campbell talks to his players during a mini camp at TD Place in Ottawa, April 24, 2016.Jean Levac

“We have to work out the kinks, learn the new (offensive co-ordinator Jaime Elizondo), his play-calling style, learn the changes that he wants,” Ellingson said, “and then go to training camp and the preseason games and gain that stride that we had at the end of the year, and hopefully get started at the beginning (this time).”

While it’s true there’s a new co-ordinator directing the attack, it’s also true that fewer changes will be apparent when the Redblacks have possession of the football. Of the seven departed starters, only wide receiver Maurice Price (traded) and right tackle Colin Kelly (NFL free agent) aren’t back from what was the first-team offence at the end of the 2015 campaign.

Their replacements on the first day of mini-camp were familiar, too: Khalil Paden was lined in Price’s slot, while 2015 first-overall pick Alex Mateas lined up at right guard and last year’s starter in that position, Nolan MacMillan, shifted over to the tackle position he played briefly in 2014.

Head Coach Rick Campbell (R) and Leroy Blugh Defensive Line Coach (L) of the Ottawa RedBlacks during a mini camp at TD Place in Ottawa, April 24, 2016.Jean Levac

“We believe in the system that we have in place here,” Burris said. “We believe in the guys, we believe in the coaches putting the guys in position to be successful. You never enjoy losing guys, but you always love some fresh, new excitement and energy in that locker-room with some new players and some new starters.”

One of the new guys in the Redblacks’ locker-room this year is quarterback Trevor Harris, the biggest acquisition on the opening day of CFL free agency in February.

Harris led the CFL in touchdown passes last year with the Toronto Argonauts, but he was signed by the Redblacks this season to be the backup to Burris, whose contract is expiring, and take over as starter in 2017.

The Argonauts ended the 2015 season in third place in the East and were eliminated by the Tiger-Cats in the division semifinal, so Harris watched the East final from the couch in his living room.

#87 Philip Enchill of the Ottawa RedBlacks makes the catch as he is defended by Marc Anthony during a mini camp at TD Place in Ottawa, April 24, 2016.Jean Levac

Like any good professional quarterback, Harris was concentrating on the coverage provided by Ticats defensive backs on the play that produced the winning touchdown and didn’t notice, initially, that the shotgun snap from centre Jon Gott nearly sailed over the head of Burris.

“I was like, ‘Why is he so late (in making the throw?)’” Harris said, “and then they showed the replay. ‘Oh, he fumbled the snap and he got it there anyway.’ Henry’s just a playmaker like that.”

There are two more mini-camp workouts — Monday at 1 p.m. and Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. — and the Redblacks must then get down to the CFL limit of 75 player contracts by May 1, meaning roughly 10 athletes will be released later this week.

#3 Travon Van (L) and #22 Jeff Richards of the Ottawa RedBlacks go through a catching drill during a mini camp at TD Place in Ottawa, April 24, 2016.Jean Levac

Beau Yap of the Ottawa Red Blacks during a mini camp at TD Place in Ottawa, April 24, 2016.Jean Levac

Mark Nelson, Defensive Coordinator of the Ottawa RedBlacks directs a drill during a mini camp at TD Place in Ottawa, April 24, 2016.Jean Levac

Taylor LaVance of the Ottawa RedBlacks makes a catch during a mini camp at TD Place in Ottawa, April 24, 2016.Jean Levac

#43 Ladarius Owens of the Ottawa RedBlacks during a mini camp at TD Place in Ottawa, April 24, 2016.Jean Levac

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